Comparison of behaviour between traditional male circumcision initiates of the yesteryears and those of the contemporary epoch in Cala and Mdantsane, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mpateni, Aphiwe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6823-9179
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Circumcision , Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22045 , vital:51968
- Description: Unequivocally, the traditional male circumcision as rite of passage in South African communities has been embraced for its role in shaping the behaviour among the initiates. This rite was highly valuable during the yesteryears as the traditional male circumcision initiates portrayed compliance with the society’s moral codes and cultural goalposts. Inopportunely, on the other hand, during the contemporary epoch this rite of passage and the cultural underpinnings embedded in it appear to be eroding and shifting from the initial purpose of inculcating good behaviour and morals. This study seeks to compare the behaviour of the yesteryears’ traditional male circumcision initiates and those of the contemporary epoch in Cala, Sakhisizwe Local Municipality and Mdantsane, Buffalo City Municipality in Eastern Cape. This study aimed to achieve the following objectives: (i) to explore the policy differences informing TMC practices in yesteryears and in the contemporary epoch; (ii) to identify the similarities and differences between the behaviour of the contemporary initiates and those of yesteryears; and (iii) to establish the environmental factors motivating the change of the behaviour apparent among the contemporary initiates as well as those of the yesteryears. This study is underpinned by the socio- cultural perspective, anomie theory, and social learning theory. Methodologically, this study was qualitative in nature, where the data was collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and Key informants interviews. An interview guide with open-ended questions was used to collect the data. A sample size of forty (40) participants was purposively selected for interviews. The data collection process was cross- sectional in design. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data and findings were presented thematically. The study established policy differences informing TMC during the yesteryears and the contemporary epoch, in that the yesteryears’ policy environment was culturally grounded; while the contemporary one’s is informed by the current national constitution and human rights perspectives. In relation to the policy issues, the study further established elements of illusionary interpretation of rights by the contemporary TMC initiates; poor implementation of policy guiding TMC practice. Further, the study revealed behavioural and morality differences between the yesteryears’ and the contemporary TMC initiates. For instance, the yesteryears’ TMC initiates were reported to be more responsible and well- mannered as compared to the contemporary ones. The shortfalls in expected behaviour and morality for the contemporary TMC initiates were attributed to modernization, and education in the contemporary initiation schools, which does not meet the societal expectations. On the environmental factors motivating the change of behaviour of the TMC initiates; Yesteryears’ TMC initiates complying with moral codes and cultural goalposts; Non-compliance to the moral codes and cultural goalposts by the contemporary TMC initiates; Culture of alcoholism during the contemporary epoch. Based on these findings, this study recommends that the government of South Africa should augment the existing TMC policies to ensure that traditional male circumcision as rite of passage achieves its socio-cultural objective of shaping behaviour and morals. The study further recommends training for traditional nurses “amakhankatha” and traditional surgeons “iingcibi”; and hosting cultural events for cultural resuscitation. The conclusions of this study state that the government must work hand in hand with cultural custodians to ensure that traditional male circumcision practice shapes good behaviour and morals of the initiates. This is because glaring gaps associated with the rite. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
The Effect of Using English as A Language of Learning and Teaching on Learner Academic Performance in Senior Phase of Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Seabela, Marcia Motlatso
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: teaching strategies
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6782 , vital:49059
- Description: The study sought to investigate the effect of using English as a language of learning and teaching on learner academic performance in the senior phase of Mthatha District, Eastern Cape Province. This study employed a mixed-method approach. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data. The study was conducted in 3 semi-rural senior secondary schools that were conveniently selected. The quantitative part employed Likert-type scale questionnaires that were administered to 10 Mathematics (Math), 10 Natural Sciences (NS) and 10 Social Sciences (SS) teachers making a total of 30 teachers and a total of 30 learners from grades 8 and 9. For the qualitative part, nine (9) teachers and eighteen (18) learners from the selected schools were interviewed. The 18 teachers in three schools were observed as they taught Grade 8 and 9 learners in their respective classes. Qualitative data were, thus, gathered through interviews and observations. Quantitative data was collected using Likert-type scale questionnaires and was analysed using descriptive statistics and Microsoft Excel. The voice recorded qualitative data from the participant’s responses were transcribed and analysed manually through coding, forming categories and themes that were used for data presentation. These are some of the findings: The majority of learners do not understand English, therefore, it was difficult for them to understand the teaching and learning of the selected subjects in Senior Phase (SP) using English as the language of learning and teaching (LoLT); Although the majority of learners reported that they usually use English as a LoLT and their home language when learning the selected subjects, they still struggled to ask and answer questions in English in a classroom and during examinations; Learners who experience difficulties in learning the selected subjects through the use of English as a LoLT in SP, were taught in their home language (isiXhosa) by their teachers; English and isiXhosa, in the form of code-switching, were used when teaching the selected subjects; Inadequate teacher training and preparation made it more difficult for the learners to perform well in the selected subjects. The study recommends that: The Department of Education should conduct enough workshops to help HOD’s and teachers who teach the selected subjects to keep abreast of new developments in these subjects. These should be integrated with appropriate teaching strategies and learning and teaching support materials. Keywords: English as the language of learning and teaching, teaching strategies, learning, teaching support materials. , Thesis (D.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04